It’s not something that many people think about when making a shopping list, but choosing the best garage door opener can make a significant difference in your daily routine. When everything operates smoothly as you leave or arrive home, you can enjoy your home and focus on more important things. Here are some factors to consider as you shop for the best, most reliable garage door opener.
Factor #1: where is the garage?
The first thing to consider is where your garage is located compared to your home. Is it attached to the house, or detached? Not all garages are attachments on the side of the house. Some garages are in the backyard, for example, while others are in the basement level of the house. There is a big difference between attached and detached garages, because an attached garage with a room above it, such as a bedroom, will require an opener that is quiet above all else.
Factor #2: how much space do you have?
Once you’ve decided if you need a quiet garage door opener, or if that isn’t of as much need, the space over the door needs to be measured. Even if all the hardware is already installed, this is important to be sure you purchase the right equipment. To install a standard garage door opener with a central trolley, there needs to be at least 2 inches (51 mm) over the door. If you do not have this space, don’t worry! For an alternative method, we can come to your home and assess the situation for the right solution. Contact us for more information on this option.
Factor #3: what shape is the ceiling?
If you have a sloped or cathedral ceiling in your garage, you can still install a trolley‑type door opener evenly. So long as the horizontal tracks are inclined, the garage door opener will work just right. You’ll need to calculate the door height to be sure that the trolley is the proper length in this set up.
We also recommend using a side‑mounted opener, or a jackshaft opener. This type of opener is installed next to the door. Side‑mounted openers are 6 inches wide by 16 inches high (15 cm x 20 cm). There must be at least 8 inches (20 cm) between the side garage wall and the end of the torsion bar that holds the spring system. There must also be a space of 3 in. (76 mm) calculated from the ceiling to the center of this torsion bar. A jackshaft opener has all the safety features of a standard trolley-type door opener.
Factor #4: which type of garage door opener do you need?
There are 3 main types of garage door openers:
- A central chain-driven trolley:
- This is the most economical type, and is our biggest seller.
- A central, rubber belt-driven trolley (metal-reinforced belt):
- This is the quietest type, perfect for garages under bedrooms or in the basement.
- A jackshaft opener, installed beside the door:
- This type is very practical for garages with considerable headroom (space) over the door.
When you’re choosing the trolley-type door openers, we recommend buying a model where the trolley (the upside down T–shaped piece) is a single piece, rather than three. The former requires less regular maintenance. With three pieces, you’ll need to tighten the bolts regularly.
Factor #5: what size motor do you need?
The two most popular sizes for garage door openers are the ½ HP and the ¾ HP:
½ HP : This is our biggest seller.
¾ HP : This size is mostly used for solid wood doors, or double doors, with weights over 300 lb. (135 kg).
You’ll also need to consider both AC and DC type motors.
AC (alternating current):
An AC door opener starts moving slowly, increases to a normal speed, and then slows as the garage door reaches its destination. With this type of motor, the unit of power is Newtons (N), not HP, where 800 or 900 N is equivalent to ½ or ¾ HP.
DC (direct current):
Garage doors with a DC motors move with a constant speed. They come in 1⁄3, ½, or ½ ¾ HP. Most people are interested in DC motors because they are the only type of garage door motor that allow you to have a backup battery for your door opener.
Don’t forget the right accessories!
One of the most important parts of your garage door opener is safety. All garage door openers are equipped with 2 safety reversal systems: the mechanical reversal, and the photo-electric system. However, there are many other accessories that can simplify your life further, so be sure to check those out!
Design your own and get a free quote!
Just like many other types of technology, garage door openers are changing every year. Today, with LiftMaster’s MyQ system, you can open and close your garage door using your smart phone, tablet or laptop, from anywhere in the world!
With so many new options and many factors to consider, we can help you find the right garage door opener. Contact us at 724-834-8450 or, if you know exactly what you want, try out our Design Centre to design your own garage door and get a free quotation. Our sales staff is highly qualified to answer any of your questions along the way, and our qualified installers have all the necessary experience for a professional installation – no matter what unique structure or needs you may have.
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